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Workshops

Short Tutorial on Photovoltaics

Saturday, October 24, 2009, 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

RFM 3223, Texas State University

Registration Fee: Students and Faculty $10, Others $30

This tutorial provides an introduction to the physics and engineering of photovoltaic cells, panels, and complete systems and will be taught at the undergraduate/early graduate school level. A flyer can be downloaded at this link. Please contact Dr. Wim Geerts (wjgeerts@txstate.edu, 512.245.1821) for additional information.

Registration is included as part of registration for the conference.

Workshop on Semiconductor Microfabrication: How to Make Cool Stuff Real Small

Workshop is full.

Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

RF Mitte Building - Room 3223

Registration: Free, limited to 15 participants

This workshop will look at how microscopic electronic and mechanical devices are built, and speculate on where things may be going in the future. A flyer with more details can be found here. Please contact Dr. Greg Spencer(spencer@txstate.edu, 512.245.0587) for more information.

Registration is included as part of registration for the conference.

AAPT Workshops

Registration for the following workshops can be made by downloading and mailing this form .

W1 - The Ritz of Telecommunications and Sound

Friday, October 23, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

presented by Regina Barrera, Lee College, and Paul Williams, Austin Community College

We will build an amplifier that we will apply to sound and wireless communications. We will make a simple speaker housed in a cracker box and drive it with our amplifier. We will also modulate a laser beam, detect it with a photocell and amplify the detected signal demonstrating wireless communications across the room. The activities and materials will be provided so that you can demonstrate them in your classroom or just for your own enjoyment.

Limited to 15 participants – 2 hours – Cost $15.00

W2 - Making a Galilean Telescope with Your Students

Friday, October 23, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

presented by Tom O’Kuma, Lee College; Jim Heath, Austin Community College, and Evelyn Restivo, Waxahachie Early College High School, Navarro College and Texas A&M Commerce

The Galileoscope is a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit developed for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers, and science educators. In this workshop we will build the Galileoscope and discuss a few ideas on how to use your ‘scope.

Limited to 24 participants – 2 hours – Cost $10.00

W3 - Building an Electric Guitar from PVC

Friday, October 23, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

presented by Regina Barrera, Lee College and Paul Williams, Austin Community College

We are going to build a 1-string electric guitar from easily available materials such as PVC pipe, wood, nuts, a peizo-electric crystal, and steel wire with a little bit of confidence and some Physics know-how. The guitar can be used to demonstrate acoustic principles such as how frequency changes with the length of the string. Principles can be checked with measurements made with a microphone. Activities and materials will be provided.

Limited to 15 participants – 2 hours – Cost $12.00

W4 - New Ideas for Teaching Physics: Part I

presented by Evelyn Restivo, Waxahachie Early College High School, Navarro College, and Texas A&M Commerce

Friday, October 23, 3:15 - 5:15 PM

If you are teaching physics for the first time or even if you are a veteran teacher, it is always good to look at new activities or renew ideas to inspire your students. As it is late in October, we are half way through first semester and it is time to look past Newton’s Laws. Activities presented in this workshop will include methods for figuring physics, gaining just a little momentum, collisions, toying around with impulse and inverse square relationships. Each activity will be presented in a lesson cycle format, which can be easily transitioned into your classroom.

Limited to 24 participants – 2 hours – Cost $5.00

SATURDAY

W5 - Radiation and Health: A Workshop for Grade 4-12 Science Teachers

presented by Albert E. Evans and Kenneth V. Krieger et.al , South Texas Chapter of the Health Physics Society

Saturday, October 24, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

This workshop introduces topics in Nuclear Science and Technology suitable for incorporation into classes for grades 4-12. Topics included are Principles of Radiation, Natural and Man-made Radiation Sources, biological Effects, radiation Safety, Radioactive Waste Management, and Career Training Opportunities. Lunch will be served. Geiger Counters will be given to participating schools. At your request, this course can also be given without cost at your institution. This course is TEA Approved for Continuing Education Credit.

Limited to 24 participants - 5 hours - Cost $2.00

W6 - Using PhET Simulations in the Introductory Physics Classroom

presented by Paul Williams, Austin Community College, Tom O'Kuma, Lee College and Regina Barrera, Lee College

Saturday, October 24, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The Physics Educational Technologies (PhET) project has provided some incredible simulations that can be used in a variety of ways in high school and college physics classes. This workshop will give the participants a chance to explore some of these simulations, see how they can be used in the classroom or through a website, and how to develop your own uses for the PhET simulations. Some materials will be provided.

Limited to 24 participants – 2 hours – Cost $2.00

W7 - New Ideas for Teaching Physics: Part II

presented by Evelyn Restivo, Waxahachie Early College High School, Navarro College, and Texas A&M Commerce

Saturday, October 24, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Part II, the sequel, is designed to look at some physics topics that you might encounter during second semester. Some of the activities presented in this workshop will include a different look at methods for student involvement in demonstrating physics, vibrations and waves with earth applications, sound, resonance, and interference patterns.